PARKS in Crewe will benefit from a £1m Government grant to encourage natural play in children across Cheshire East.

The two-year project focuses on providing access to innovative, public play spaces for children eight and 13, and includes five of the town’s parks – Valley Park, Leighton Brook Park, Queens Street Park, Westminster Park and Pebble Brook Park.

Improvements will include climbing frames, rope swings, boulders and seating areas in large open spaces.

Consultations will begin in September, and work is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.